Bill > H2315

This bill establishes sentencing guidelines for convictions of criminal offenses in the Commonwealth. The key provisions include: - Defining key terms like "adjudication of delinquency," "conviction," "criminal history group," and "sentencing guidelines." - Creating a sentencing guidelines grid with offense seriousness levels on the vertical axis and criminal history groups on the horizontal axis, divided into incarceration, discretionary, and intermediate sanction zones. - Ranking offenses in a "master crime list" and accounting for factors like degree of injury or value of property to determine offense seriousness levels. - Classifying criminal history into five groups based on prior convictions. - Providing guidance on sentencing within the guidelines range, departures from the guidelines, concurrent/consecutive sentencing, and sentencing for offenses with mandatory minimums. - Integrating intermediate sanctions into the guidelines grid and allowing probation officers to adjust sanction levels. - Specifying procedures for sentencing, revocation of probation, and appeals. The overall goal is to establish consistent, evidence-based sentencing practices across the Commonwealth.

Justice

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/190/H2315